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TO have the the entire club season in one calender years is too ambitious with an August start, especially if the GAA want to promote Hurling in football counties and vice versa.
With the GAA now seemingly determined to move the all Ireland finals to August - the provincial and All Ireland club championships have to go to the following year. (like the champions league, EPCR etc).
THere is no real reason why provincial club competitions cant start in February and play 4 rounds by St Patricks day, then play the All Ireland club finals mid APril/Easter.
The no of county teams affected is minimal enough and not really a regular problem - and sure its only the league.
At the moment, they have Senior, Intermediate (dominated by Kerry due to them having only 8 senior clubs) and Junior (dominated by Kerry for the same reason).
Giving each county time (min 4.5 months) to deliver county champions - the GAA could level the playing field for the provincial and all ireland series and specify what level within the county, the intermediate and junior representative must be.
e.g. Intermediate
Level 1 - Dublin, Cork 25th,
Level 2 - Kerry, Mayo, Galway, Donegal, Tyrone - 17th,
level 3 - Armagh, Monaghan, Down, Meath, Kildare, Roscommon, Derry - 13th -
Level 4 - Westmeath, Sligo, Cavan, Laois, Wexford, Louth, Offaly, Antrim, Clare, - 9th.
Level 5 - Waterford, Tipperary, Killkenny, Lietrim, Fermanagh, Longford, Carlow, Wicklow - 7th
Any county wins two of 3 and they get promoted a level.
Counties get demoted a level if they don't win 1 in 8 as a minimum.
e.g. Junior
Level 1 - Dublin, Cork 41st,
Level 2 - Kerry, Mayo, Galway, Donegal, Tyrone - 33rd,
level 3 - Armagh, Monaghan, Down, Meath, Kildare, Roscommon, Derry - 25th -
Level 4 - Westmeath, Sligo, Cavan, Laois, Wexford, Louth, Offaly, Antrim, Clare, - 19th.
Level 5 - Waterford, Tipperary, Killkenny, Lietrim, Fermanagh, Longford, Carlow, Wicklow - 15th
Any county wins two of 5, they get promoted a level.
Counties get demoted a level if they don't win 1 in 8 as a minimum.
tirawleybaron (Mayo) - Posts: 1578 - 27/08/2025 09:31:44
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Replying To tirawleybaron: "TO have the the entire club season in one calender years is too ambitious with an August start, especially if the GAA want to promote Hurling in football counties and vice versa.
With the GAA now seemingly determined to move the all Ireland finals to August - the provincial and All Ireland club championships have to go to the following year. (like the champions league, EPCR etc).
THere is no real reason why provincial club competitions cant start in February and play 4 rounds by St Patricks day, then play the All Ireland club finals mid APril/Easter.
The no of county teams affected is minimal enough and not really a regular problem - and sure its only the league.
At the moment, they have Senior, Intermediate (dominated by Kerry due to them having only 8 senior clubs) and Junior (dominated by Kerry for the same reason).
Giving each county time (min 4.5 months) to deliver county champions - the GAA could level the playing field for the provincial and all ireland series and specify what level within the county, the intermediate and junior representative must be.
e.g. Intermediate
Level 1 - Dublin, Cork 25th,
Level 2 - Kerry, Mayo, Galway, Donegal, Tyrone - 17th,
level 3 - Armagh, Monaghan, Down, Meath, Kildare, Roscommon, Derry - 13th -
Level 4 - Westmeath, Sligo, Cavan, Laois, Wexford, Louth, Offaly, Antrim, Clare, - 9th.
Level 5 - Waterford, Tipperary, Killkenny, Lietrim, Fermanagh, Longford, Carlow, Wicklow - 7th
Any county wins two of 3 and they get promoted a level.
Counties get demoted a level if they don't win 1 in 8 as a minimum.
e.g. Junior
Level 1 - Dublin, Cork 41st,
Level 2 - Kerry, Mayo, Galway, Donegal, Tyrone - 33rd,
level 3 - Armagh, Monaghan, Down, Meath, Kildare, Roscommon, Derry - 25th -
Level 4 - Westmeath, Sligo, Cavan, Laois, Wexford, Louth, Offaly, Antrim, Clare, - 19th.
Level 5 - Waterford, Tipperary, Killkenny, Lietrim, Fermanagh, Longford, Carlow, Wicklow - 15th
Any county wins two of 5, they get promoted a level.
Counties get demoted a level if they don't win 1 in 8 as a minimum." Clubs , not Counties, win Club competitions .
Seanfan (Roscommon) - Posts: 89 - 27/08/2025 09:52:51
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Replying To ORIELMAN85: "36 in Monaghan. Have been able to attend 13. Great entertainment in good weather." It has been absolutely brilliant! Knockout to come over the next few weeks.
legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 9166 - 27/08/2025 12:55:05
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@tirawleybaron - "There is no real reason why provincial club competitions cant start in February and play 4 rounds by St Patricks day, then play the All Ireland club finals mid APril/Easter."
I'll give you two (one for each code):
- Football: National League positions can determine whether you go into the Sam Maguire Cup or Tailteann Cup. Counties would have to play National League matches without whatever players are still involved in club competition. That could make a big difference if you're a mid-tier county that could go either way.
- Hurling: The Leinster & Munster Championships start around mid-April/Easter, i.e. exactly the time you want to play the All-Ireland Club Finals. Even if you put the start of the provincial championships back by a week or two (if the inter-county All-Ireland Finals do move to August), then county players from the clubs involved in their All-Ireland Final would only have a week or two with the county squad to prepare for those championships. Either that, or they'd have to serve two masters for the whole Spring.
Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 3042 - 27/08/2025 14:36:09
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Replying To Pikeman96: "@tirawleybaron - "There is no real reason why provincial club competitions cant start in February and play 4 rounds by St Patricks day, then play the All Ireland club finals mid APril/Easter."
I'll give you two (one for each code):
- Football: National League positions can determine whether you go into the Sam Maguire Cup or Tailteann Cup. Counties would have to play National League matches without whatever players are still involved in club competition. That could make a big difference if you're a mid-tier county that could go either way.
- Hurling: The Leinster & Munster Championships start around mid-April/Easter, i.e. exactly the time you want to play the All-Ireland Club Finals. Even if you put the start of the provincial championships back by a week or two (if the inter-county All-Ireland Finals do move to August), then county players from the clubs involved in their All-Ireland Final would only have a week or two with the county squad to prepare for those championships. Either that, or they'd have to serve two masters for the whole Spring." Week one of provincials - 4 counties dont have to worry about it
Week 2 (mid february) - 16 counties are no longer concerned.
Week 3 (end feb) - only 8 counties involved (75% not bothered with club championships)
Week 4 (mid March) - down to 4 counties in each grade
Week 6 (mid april) - only 2 counties left.
With only 2-3 players off a senior club and 1-2 from an intermediate team and 1 junior - we are again messing up competitions for the many to suit a few (and not the same few every year).
If defies logic to constantly cram fixtures for thousands of players to avoid a bit of inconvenience for about 10 players every year.
A lad can train all year, pull a hamstring and miss the entire club championship so as to avoid clashes between club and county for 10 intercounty players every year - its just plain ridiculous and happens nowhere else.
Premier league clubs complain about champions league matches being to close to league matches - but they still have to suck it up and get on with it. Rest a few lads and give the squad players a run.
tirawleybaron (Mayo) - Posts: 1578 - 27/08/2025 18:53:05
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Replying To Seanfan: "Clubs , not Counties, win Club competitions ." yes - but look at the history of who wins club junior and intermediate club titles and then say the entry criteria is balanced.
There is no way anyone can say the 9th best club in Kerry doesnt have an advantage over the 13th club in Clare, or the 9th best team in Waterford.
tirawleybaron (Mayo) - Posts: 1578 - 27/08/2025 18:59:24
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how many counties are at quater final or semi final stage in their championships? please dont say there some counties that havent started yet? surely their cant be
dickie10 (UK) - Posts: 873 - 27/08/2025 21:47:28
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Replying To tirawleybaron: " Replying To Pikeman96: "@tirawleybaron - "There is no real reason why provincial club competitions cant start in February and play 4 rounds by St Patricks day, then play the All Ireland club finals mid APril/Easter."
I'll give you two (one for each code):
- Football: National League positions can determine whether you go into the Sam Maguire Cup or Tailteann Cup. Counties would have to play National League matches without whatever players are still involved in club competition. That could make a big difference if you're a mid-tier county that could go either way.
- Hurling: The Leinster & Munster Championships start around mid-April/Easter, i.e. exactly the time you want to play the All-Ireland Club Finals. Even if you put the start of the provincial championships back by a week or two (if the inter-county All-Ireland Finals do move to August), then county players from the clubs involved in their All-Ireland Final would only have a week or two with the county squad to prepare for those championships. Either that, or they'd have to serve two masters for the whole Spring." Week one of provincials - 4 counties dont have to worry about it Week 2 (mid february) - 16 counties are no longer concerned. Week 3 (end feb) - only 8 counties involved (75% not bothered with club championships) Week 4 (mid March) - down to 4 counties in each grade Week 6 (mid april) - only 2 counties left. With only 2-3 players off a senior club and 1-2 from an intermediate team and 1 junior - we are again messing up competitions for the many to suit a few (and not the same few every year). If defies logic to constantly cram fixtures for thousands of players to avoid a bit of inconvenience for about 10 players every year. A lad can train all year, pull a hamstring and miss the entire club championship so as to avoid clashes between club and county for 10 intercounty players every year - its just plain ridiculous and happens nowhere else. Premier league clubs complain about champions league matches being to close to league matches - but they still have to suck it up and get on with it. Rest a few lads and give the squad players a run."
That's what club gaa players need
It does defy logic but unless someone in gaa is brave and takes on trying to make a proper change then nothing will happen to make things better for overwhelming majority of players
KillingFields (Limerick) - Posts: 3807 - 27/08/2025 23:30:06
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Replying To tirawleybaron: " Replying To Pikeman96: "@tirawleybaron - "There is no real reason why provincial club competitions cant start in February and play 4 rounds by St Patricks day, then play the All Ireland club finals mid APril/Easter."
I'll give you two (one for each code):
- Football: National League positions can determine whether you go into the Sam Maguire Cup or Tailteann Cup. Counties would have to play National League matches without whatever players are still involved in club competition. That could make a big difference if you're a mid-tier county that could go either way.
- Hurling: The Leinster & Munster Championships start around mid-April/Easter, i.e. exactly the time you want to play the All-Ireland Club Finals. Even if you put the start of the provincial championships back by a week or two (if the inter-county All-Ireland Finals do move to August), then county players from the clubs involved in their All-Ireland Final would only have a week or two with the county squad to prepare for those championships. Either that, or they'd have to serve two masters for the whole Spring." Week one of provincials - 4 counties dont have to worry about it Week 2 (mid february) - 16 counties are no longer concerned. Week 3 (end feb) - only 8 counties involved (75% not bothered with club championships) Week 4 (mid March) - down to 4 counties in each grade Week 6 (mid april) - only 2 counties left. With only 2-3 players off a senior club and 1-2 from an intermediate team and 1 junior - we are again messing up competitions for the many to suit a few (and not the same few every year). If defies logic to constantly cram fixtures for thousands of players to avoid a bit of inconvenience for about 10 players every year. A lad can train all year, pull a hamstring and miss the entire club championship so as to avoid clashes between club and county for 10 intercounty players every year - its just plain ridiculous and happens nowhere else. Premier league clubs complain about champions league matches being to close to league matches - but they still have to suck it up and get on with it. Rest a few lads and give the squad players a run."
Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 3042 - 27/08/2025 23:34:52
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Replying To tirawleybaron: "yes - but look at the history of who wins club junior and intermediate club titles and then say the entry criteria is balanced.
There is no way anyone can say the 9th best club in Kerry doesnt have an advantage over the 13th club in Clare, or the 9th best team in Waterford." But on that one, your proposal is completely unworkable without ripping up club championship structures all over the place.
For example, look at us here in Wexford, where you say our ninth best should go to Intermediate, and 19th best to Junior.
We have 12 teams in each grade, made up of two groups of six. To determine the "ninth best" team, you'd need a play-off between the teams finishing fifth in Senior Group A and Senior Group B. Those teams would already be out of our championship proper, after finishing fifth in the group. What appetite do you really think these senior clubs would have for a play-off to go into an Intermediate competition?
And follow it down to the next step. Our real Intermediate champions wouldn't get to play in Leinster at all, because they'd essentially be finishing 13th best. To determine 19th best for the Leinster Junior Championship, you'd need a play-off between the teams finishing fourth in both Intermediate groups. These could well have been knocked out at the quarter-final stage of our own championship. Would it be fair for one of them to go on to Leinster competition, when our real Intermediate champions don't get to do it at all?
As I said, only way around it would be to completely restructure our championships, so that we'd have only eight teams in senior, and ten in Intermediate.
You'd have to do similar in many other counties - e.g. Tipperary could only have six senior teams if their seventh best were to be county Intermediate champions as well as the representatives in the Munster Intermediate Championship. And their Intermediate could only have have eight teams, if 15th best was to be their Junior champions as well as representing them in Munster Junior.
Absolutely completely unworkable.
Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 3042 - 27/08/2025 23:44:38
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Replying To Pikeman96: "But on that one, your proposal is completely unworkable without ripping up club championship structures all over the place.
For example, look at us here in Wexford, where you say our ninth best should go to Intermediate, and 19th best to Junior.
We have 12 teams in each grade, made up of two groups of six. To determine the "ninth best" team, you'd need a play-off between the teams finishing fifth in Senior Group A and Senior Group B. Those teams would already be out of our championship proper, after finishing fifth in the group. What appetite do you really think these senior clubs would have for a play-off to go into an Intermediate competition?
And follow it down to the next step. Our real Intermediate champions wouldn't get to play in Leinster at all, because they'd essentially be finishing 13th best. To determine 19th best for the Leinster Junior Championship, you'd need a play-off between the teams finishing fourth in both Intermediate groups. These could well have been knocked out at the quarter-final stage of our own championship. Would it be fair for one of them to go on to Leinster competition, when our real Intermediate champions don't get to do it at all?
As I said, only way around it would be to completely restructure our championships, so that we'd have only eight teams in senior, and ten in Intermediate.
You'd have to do similar in many other counties - e.g. Tipperary could only have six senior teams if their seventh best were to be county Intermediate champions as well as the representatives in the Munster Intermediate Championship. And their Intermediate could only have have eight teams, if 15th best was to be their Junior champions as well as representing them in Munster Junior.
Absolutely completely unworkable." The leinster role of honour at intermediate
7 Kildare
4 Meath, Louth
2 Wexford, Laois
1 Wicklow Dublin
Junior
Meath 11
Westmeath 3
Kildare 3
Laois 2
Offaly 2
Wicklow 1
Dublin 1
Louth 1
Wexford 1
So the system is working well for Kildare and MEath and to a lesser extent, Laois and Wexford.
Can't say its working for anyone else though.
But sure why would a wholly amateur organization want a balanced and fair competition for all its participant units. Leave as is and let Kildare dominated intermediate, Meath Junior and Dublin Senior. Let all the other leinster countiers truck along in hope rather than expectation.
Let the same keep going for Clare, Limerick, Waterford, Tipperary, Leitrim, Sligo, Fermanagh, Antrim,
Also, I think playing the provincial club championships in the same year as the county championship should be knocked on the head.
Shift the entire calender
Jan offseason
Feb - Club provincials, sigerson and fitzgibbon
March - All Ireland club + national football leagues
April - National football and hurling leagues
May - provincal football championships and hurling leagues
June - All Ireland football championship and Provincial hurling championship
July - All Ireland football and All ireland hurling championships
August - All ireland hurling championships and holidays
September - Club hurling and football championships
October - Club hurling and football championships
November - Club hurling and football championships
December - off season
tirawleybaron (Mayo) - Posts: 1578 - 28/08/2025 10:38:28
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Replying To Pikeman96: "But on that one, your proposal is completely unworkable without ripping up club championship structures all over the place.
For example, look at us here in Wexford, where you say our ninth best should go to Intermediate, and 19th best to Junior.
We have 12 teams in each grade, made up of two groups of six. To determine the "ninth best" team, you'd need a play-off between the teams finishing fifth in Senior Group A and Senior Group B. Those teams would already be out of our championship proper, after finishing fifth in the group. What appetite do you really think these senior clubs would have for a play-off to go into an Intermediate competition?
And follow it down to the next step. Our real Intermediate champions wouldn't get to play in Leinster at all, because they'd essentially be finishing 13th best. To determine 19th best for the Leinster Junior Championship, you'd need a play-off between the teams finishing fourth in both Intermediate groups. These could well have been knocked out at the quarter-final stage of our own championship. Would it be fair for one of them to go on to Leinster competition, when our real Intermediate champions don't get to do it at all?
As I said, only way around it would be to completely restructure our championships, so that we'd have only eight teams in senior, and ten in Intermediate.
You'd have to do similar in many other counties - e.g. Tipperary could only have six senior teams if their seventh best were to be county Intermediate champions as well as the representatives in the Munster Intermediate Championship. And their Intermediate could only have have eight teams, if 15th best was to be their Junior champions as well as representing them in Munster Junior.
Absolutely completely unworkable." About 8% of clubs partake in Provincial Championships.
Half of them have only 1 game.
Why should the 92/96% have to totally revamp everything so that the 4/8% can have a tidier arrangement?
Seanfan (Roscommon) - Posts: 89 - 28/08/2025 10:57:19
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Replying To Seanfan: "About 8% of clubs partake in Provincial Championships.
Half of them have only 1 game.
Why should the 92/96% have to totally revamp everything so that the 4/8% can have a tidier arrangement?" Either you're completely missing the point if you're arguing with me, or else you're supporting my point in a way that's not fully clear.
But exactly. If the Mayo man's proposal was put in place (e.g. 9th best and 17th best from Wexford going to Intermediate & Junior, 7th best and 15th best from Tipperary doing the same, etc.), then the whole championship structures for every single club in those counties would have to change, for the sake of the small few who do end up going into provincial competition.
Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 3042 - 28/08/2025 12:58:08
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